England have named their 24-man squad ahead of the Baskerville Shield against New Zealand and their one-off Test against France.
Steve McNamara’s side boasts a mixture of youth and experience with the majority of his squad being chosen on the grounds of form, as opposed to reputation.
John Bateman (Wigan Warriors), Joe Burgess (Wigan Warriors), Mike Cooper (St George Illawarra Dragons), Leroy Cudjoe (Huddersfield Giants), Ben Currie (Warrington), Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors), Brett Ferres (Huddersfield Giants), Luke Gale (Castleford Tigers), James Graham (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos), Zak Hardaker (Leeds Rhinos), Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves), Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders), Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants), Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan Warriors), James Roby (St Helens), Matty Smith (Wigan Warriors), Sam Tomkins (New Zealand Warriors), Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos), Ben Westwood (Warrington Wolves), Elliot Whitehead (Catalans Dragons), Gareth Widdop (St George Illawarra Dragons), George Williams (Wigan Warriors
In the squad are seven debutants: John Bateman, Joe Burgess, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Luke Gale, Jermaine McGillvary and George Williams.
England face a tough task from the Kiwis who will travel to the UK without star players Kieran Foran, Simon Mannering, Jason Taumalolo and Shaun Johnson.
McNamara will hope his team reflect English rugby league as a whole after a scintillating domestic season ended over the weekend with a thrilling finish that saw Leeds victorious over Wigan 22-20.
McNamara told the media yesterday, “We spent a long time selecting this squad and there were some close call with a lot of competition for places.
“There is a tremendous challenge in front of us against the best Rugby League nation in the world. New Zealand will be formidable opponents.
“There is a strong core of players that have come through the England system over recent years and have the desire, appetite and quality to do English Rugby League proud in this tournament.
“We are fully aware that we will need to work exceptionally hard and play to a very high level to win the tournament. Our aim is to win our first home series against southern hemisphere opposition since Great Britain defeated New Zealand in 2007.”
Similar to the Kiwis’ squad however, England will also be without star players George Burgess, Alex Walmsley, Jack Reed, Stefan Ratchford and Joel Tomkins who are all receiving surgery after a tough season.
England will be based out of St George’s Park a training facility in which they share with the Football Association also used by the English national football team.
England will play their first match against France on 24 October before taking on New Zealand at KC Stadium on 1 November, Olympic Stadium on 7 November and DW Stadium on 14 November.
Tripehound
Guest
A big plus is that the series is being televised live by the BBC, this will ensure that the games are available to the widest possible audience. The attendance at the second test in London will be interesting to see, outside of the RL heartlands and in a stadium that holds twice as many people as the Hull and Wigan grounds being used for the first and last tests respectively. Steve McNamara's selections will be crucial, I really hope that he gives Castleford's scrum half Scott Gale a start. Personally I think he can offer so much more than Matty Smith, who, although a decent club player isn't anywhere near good enough for the international circuit.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Fascinated to see some of the selections. England have suffered forever by not having an organizer as good as the Australians, and they have selected Luke Gale and George Williams.to the squad and it will be interesting to see if they get a run. Also Sam Tomkins surely cannot hang on to his fullback job in front of Zac Hardaker. Will England play the Roosters bound Joe Burgess, who plays in the same side and position as champion Ryan Hall? NZ must find a 6 and 7 combination, and their best "General" is a kid straight out of NYC called Te Marie Martin, but I suspect they will go defensive and play big Storm forward Tohu Harris as a pivot. One thing for sure, Benjy and the coach will not be swapping Xmas cards.
Richard Maybury
Guest
Unfortunately, the problems with Rugby League in England are very long standing and not in their own hands to control. We need a strong Rugby League in England because if we don't then our international game will wither and die. That is why England desperately needs the help of the NRL to help create media interest over there. A strong England performance will help of course but they need the big names in front of prime time television.
Richard Maybury
Guest
England also have some 1st choice players missing so it won't be a walk over.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
A decent squad,with debutants ,showing there is a reasonable production line coming through. A win in the series overall will give the code publicity, it is struggling to achieve now. Wins for national teams do wonders for any code.
Norm
Roar Pro
NZ had a few players out last time they played. Didnt help England out much then
Niall
Guest
I think an England win gives the game in the UK a small lift. The problems the game faces in the UK will still stand. That's not meant to mean it's all doom and gloom but questions need to be asked concerning a whole lot of issues at amateur, semi-professional, professional and international levels in British rugby league.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
England need to win this series. The national team need to be successful. It won't end here if they don't win but... geez, the code needs them to win now.
Steve
Guest
Surely England win this 3-0 with at least two of them being very comfortable. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Richard Maybury
Guest
This will be a good learning opportunity for the English side. I hope they do well.
Norm
Roar Pro
This Kiwis team has lost alot in terms of leadership and X factor as a result of the numerous injuries/withdrawals. I'm expecting a very close fought test series. In a way the absence of so many key players is unfair on England as they are unlikley to get the credit thet deseve if they are triumpant or will be baged for losing to a B team if they are unsuccessful. If the Kiwis can overcome the English there should be little doubt who the no.1 rugby league nation is.